Worksheet on The History Boys: Ethics
English
GCSE
9 questions
~18 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
An examination-focused worksheet exploring ethical themes within Alan Bennett's 'The History Boys', designed for GCSE students. It includes a passage summary and analysis questions to develop understanding of character motivations and moral dilemmas.
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Worksheet on The History Boys: Ethics
Subject: EnglishGrade: GCSE
Name:
Date:
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade GCSE
A
Scene Summary and Context
In 'The History Boys', the scene focuses on the students' discussion with their teacher about morality and personal integrity. The teacher challenges the students to consider the ethical implications of their choices, often highlighting the tension between academic ambition and moral values. The characters express diverse viewpoints, with some advocating for honesty and others justifying pragmatic decisions. The scene emphasizes the complexities of moral decision-making in a competitive educational environment, raising questions about what constitutes right and wrong under pressure. Phrases such as 'playing the game' and 'moral compass' are central to the dialogue, symbolising the internal conflicts faced by the characters. Contextually, the play explores themes of ethics, authority, and the pressures of societal expectations, set against the backdrop of 1980s Britain. The dialogue reflects Bennett’s critique of educational and moral standards, prompting the audience to reflect on their own values and the nature of integrity in challenging circumstances.
1.
Identify one phrase from the passage that symbolises the characters' internal conflict.
[2 marks]2.
Explain in one or two sentences how the theme of ethics is introduced in the scene.
[2 marks]3.
What is the significance of the phrase 'playing the game' in the context of the scene?
[2 marks]4.
Identify a literary technique used in the dialogue and explain its effect on the reader.
[3 marks]5.
Discuss how Bennett’s portrayal of moral dilemmas in the scene encourages the audience to reflect on their own values.
[8 marks]6.
How does the dialogue reflect the contrasting viewpoints of the characters regarding morality?
[3 marks]7.
Identify two words or phrases from the passage that indicate internal conflict.
[2 marks]8.
Create a brief outline for a speech arguing whether academic success justifies morally questionable actions. Include at least two key points.
[10 marks]9.
In your creative writing response, write a monologue from the perspective of a student facing a moral dilemma similar to those discussed in the scene. Use at least three literary devices.
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Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet